Real estate insights and home buying tips for Hampton Roads, Virginia
Inspections and appraisals are crucial steps in the home-buying process, providing valuable insights to help you make an informed decision. While they serve different purposes, both protect your financial investment and give you peace of mind about t...
When buying or refinancing a home with a VA loan, you'll be responsible for paying closing costs. These fees are necessary to cover the processing and finalizing of your loan. While all loans come with closing costs, VA loans have a few specific fees...
Earnest money is a deposit made by a buyer when purchasing a home, often called a good faith payment. It shows the seller you're serious about the purchase and committed to moving forward if the terms of the agreement are met. The deposit is typicall...
Financial Support vs. Marketing It’s important to understand that not all "first-time buyer programs" are what they seem. Often, when you see advertisements like "Ask Us About Our Special First-Time Home Buyer Programs," it’s more of a marketing stra...
Buying your first home is an exciting yet complex process. From finding the right home to securing financing, there are many steps involved. Luckily, there are various first-time homebuyer programs designed to make this process easier by offering fin...
Saving to buy a house involves more than just setting aside money for a down payment. You’ll also need to plan for closing costs, moving expenses, and other upfront costs. While the idea of putting down 20% on a home might seem daunting, you’re not a...
A jumbo loan, also known as a non-conforming mortgage, is a home loan that exceeds the limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These two entities, established by Congress, help stabilize the housing market by purchasing mortgages that conform to th...
What You Need to Know About Short Sales A short sale occurs when you need to sell your home but owe more on your mortgage than the property is worth. In this case, you can sell the home for less than the loan balance, but you’ll need approval from yo...
With the rise in home values across much of the country, many homeowners now have substantial home equity. If you're looking to tap into that equity for home improvements or to pay off high-interest debt, a cash-out refinance could be a viable option...
With the help of a USDA loan, owning a home in a rural area might be more achievable than you think. In fact, nearly 165,000 people applied for a USDA loan in 2020, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. If you're already living in a...
A VA home loan is a mortgage option backed by the government, available to eligible veterans, active military members, and surviving spouses. These loans can be used to purchase or build a home, make improvements, or refinance an existing mortgage. V...
Closing Costs: What They Are and How Much You’ll Pay Budgeting for a home purchase involves more than just your down payment. As a buyer, you’ll be responsible for a variety of fees that ensure the transaction goes smoothly. These fees cover services...